Trump hints Iran talks could resume this week as US maritime blockade continues
Trump Indicates Iran Talks May Restart Amid Ongoing Blockade
President Donald Trump hinted that discussions to end hostilities with Iran might begin this week, following a weekend collapse in negotiations. The US has maintained a maritime blockade on Iranian ports and coastal regions, which has disrupted the flow of goods. Trump’s remarks came during an interview with the New York Post, where he suggested the possibility of renewed talks in Islamabad.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Islamabad],” Trump stated.
The US military confirmed that no ships had traversed the blockade in the first 24 hours of its implementation, according to Centcom. This stand-off has cast uncertainty over a two-week ceasefire, set to expire soon. While Iran has not yet commented on Trump’s remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the resumption of talks as “highly probable.”
Officials from the Gulf, Pakistan, and Iran reported that negotiation teams from Washington and Tehran could return to Pakistan later this week, though no specific date has been set. The optimism surrounding diplomacy eased oil market volatility, with benchmark prices dropping below $100 on Tuesday.
Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas route, since it faced strikes from US and Israeli forces on 28 February. Over a dozen US warships and approximately 10,000 troops are now enforcing the blockade, cutting off Iran’s access to vital economic resources. The move targets Iran’s primary revenue streams: oil exports and tolls collected from ships using the strait.
BBC Verify’s analysis of shipping data revealed that at least four Iran-linked vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade. Two of these ships had previously been docked at Iranian ports. Additionally, three non-Iranian vessels were observed navigating the waterway after the blockade commenced on Monday.
Initial talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed to reach an agreement, with the US insisting Iran had not accepted its terms. The dispute centered on Iran’s nuclear program, as the US proposed a 20-year halt to uranium enrichment. Tehran, however, advocated for a five-year pause, according to sources.
As the International Monetary Fund warned of potential global recession due to the conflict, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the BBC that temporary economic strain is justified for long-term security. Meanwhile, China criticized the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” predicting it would worsen tensions and weaken the fragile ceasefire.
Israel and Lebanon have initiated direct talks after discussions in Washington, stemming from Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. This marks the first such meeting between the two nations since 1993. The Lebanese ambassador called it “productive,” while the Israeli representative described it as a “new era of peace.”
A US official clarified that the Islamabad negotiations and the Israel-Lebanon talks are unrelated, as per the BBC. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for renewed diplomacy shaping the region’s future.